at least to suffer
me to show to you a paper containing Jasper Losely's confession of a
conspiracy to poison her mind against you some years ago--a conspiracy
so villianously ingenious that it would have completely exonerated any
delicate and proud young girl from the charge of fickleness in yielding
to an impulse of pique and despair. But Lady Montfort did not wish to be
exonerated; your good opinion has ceased to be of the slightest value to
her. But to come to the point. She bade me tell you that, if you persist
in sheltering yourself in a hermit's cell from the fear of meeting
her--if she be so dangerous to your peace--you may dismiss such absurd
apprehension. She is going abroad, and between you and me, my dear
fellow, I have not a doubt that she will marry again before six months
are out. I spoke of your sufferings; she told me she had not the
smallest compassion for them."

"Alban Morley, you presumed to talk thus of me?" cried Darrell, livid
with rage.

"Strike, but hear me. It is true you would not own, when I was last at
Fawley, that she was the cause of your secluded life, of your blighted
career; but I knew better. However, let me go on before you strangle
me. Lady Montfort's former feelings of friendship for you are evidently
quite changed; and she charged me to add, that she really hoped that you
would exert your good sense and pride (of which Heaven knows you have
plenty) to eradicate an absurd and romantic sentiment, so displeasing to
her, and so--"

"It is false! it is false! What have I done to you, Colonel Morley, that
you should slander me thus? I send you messages of taunt and insult, Mr.
Darrell! You cannot believe it--you cannot!"

Caroline Montfort stood between the two, as if she had dropped from
heaven.

A smile, half in triumph, half in irony, curved the lip of the fine
gentleman. It faded instantly as his eye turned from the face of the
earnest woman to that of the earnest man. Alban Morley involuntarily
bowed his head, murmured some words unheard, and passed from the place
unheeded.

Not by concert nor premeditation was Caroline Montfort on that spot; she
had consented to accompany her cousin to Fawley, but before reaching the
park gates her courage failed her; she would remain within the carriage;
the Colonel, wanted in London as soon as possible, whatever the result
of his political mission to Darrell, could not stay long at Fawley; she
would return with him. Vance's presence and i